Candidate Answers – Debbie Hooge

Question 1: Roads. Roads will be a big issue during this election cycle. With the new High School and the development in City Center, what do you feel would be the best way to alleviate the road problems facing Eagle Mountain? Good question and, yes, it is a big problem, especially for people in The Ranches where neighborhood collectors are beginning to act like freeways to accommodate through traffic.The answers are not simple, nor are they cheap. I believe the smartest is a third North/South collector on the West of the new high school, past the airport and up to SR73. Eagle Mountain Blvd was designed to be the major collector on the west side of town. While it is a fast road, some residents seem reluctant to use it and prefer going through The Ranches. Another option is to slow travel on Pony Express and Ranches Pkwy, such that it is not a fast solution. Then build a collector from west of the high school over to Eagle Mountain Blvd. This would probably not be a popular solution, but I believe it would be the quickest and cheapest. Question 2: Property Rights. What are your views on property rights, and how do you plan on balancing the property rights of current residents with the property rights of prospective developers? Well, I would separate ‘property rights’ from ‘development rights.’ Property rights involve our right to enjoy the use of our property and to have it protected from the government changing our quiet use and enjoyment without having some eminent domain that would alter this. I am passionate about protecting the rights of the residents and people who own or lease a property and want them to able to use and enjoy it. I do not believe eminent domain or dramatic changes in use should ever be used except in the most critical occasions where there are risks to the community. Development rights are rights a community grants to property owners. They are clearly set out in a Development Code and in a General Plan and in the form of zoning. The community has the right to alter these plans. When we created Eagle Mountain, we specifically kept every piece of property within the Agricultural Zone. We did this so that no property owner had any other rights unless they came to the City for those rights. We did, however, have a general plan where we set out what we would have liked to see in certain areas of the City. All development rights are predicated on the principle that the developers keep their end of the bargain. This is why agreements, development codes, etc need to be well managed and thought out, and certainly should not be ‘boiler plate’ or provided by the developer applicant.Then the city administration needs to have the courage to enforce the obligations of the developer. Question 3: Founding Fathers. Do you have a favorite founding father? If so, who is it, and what is a favorite quote, or ideal that founding father had that you try to emulate? (Notice I did not define founding father, I am leaving that up to your interpretation.) I have great respect for our Country’s founding fathers. What they did was no small task. Although it is hard to decide, I suppose it would be George Washington. I chose him, because he had the will to stop the people who wanted him to become king. Power needs to be accompanied by humility and a desire to create something that is bigger than you. Washington could have decided America was about him. Instead he realized that the dream he was fighting for was for everyone who chose to call themselves Americans. It is probably one of the greatest legacies he could have given us; to quietly step aside when it was time. Question 4: Schools. Do you feel the education system is adequate in Eagle Mountain? If so, what are we doing well, if not, what needs to be changed. School administration was granted to Alpine School District who had schools in Lehi and Cedar Fort before the city.. Alpine School district is generally a good district and does adequately provide for our children but maybe too big. We should continue to open our doors to charter schools and other educational solutions like online schools. The city government can to do their part by lobbying the district to hear us and get us the best education for our children; while continuing to look for a variety of educational solutions. I personally would love to see a small Jr. College out here. Question 5: Family. Can you give me a brief description of your family, and what it means to you? I grew up in a large family. I am one of 11 kids. I have six children of my own and 23 grandchildren. The older I get the more I realize that nothing I do will ever bring me as much joy as my family does. They are my pride and my true legacy. Question 6: Why Run. Can you tell me why you are running for your position? This amazing area is a part of who I am. I have been involved with it for nearly half my life. I love it here. I want Eagle Mountain to be the best it can be. And, it is a good time in my life to return as a more active participant. We started Eagle Mountain with a grand vision, and a lot of hope and a lot of work. When the County approved our incorporation, which I spearheaded, I was asked to be mayor. It was only to be until the next election cycle in 10 months. But, when that cycle came up no one wanted to run. So, I was told to the law was such that I would remain as mayor. That wasn’t in the master plan for my life, but there was still so much to do and I wanted continuity for our dreams. Then, when the time was right, I turned governance of the city over and on it went. We designed Eagle Mountain around the concept of community. I believe we need to get back a clear vision of the uniqueness and beauty of what our community can and should be. We need to be smart about how we approach our own growth and our own spaces. I am running for mayor to help make that course correction. Question 7: Biggest Issue: What do you see as the biggest issue in Eagle Mountain, and what do you plan on doing to help solve the issue? The biggest issue is, of course, different to everyone. So, what I think, isn’t necessarily as critical as how I or any administration responds to the needs and wants of those who live here. Each issue needs to have a plan made which incorporates the input and concerns of the residents, and then implementation of the plan.There is far too much talk in politics. Make a plan and stick to it. One main concern for me is traffic. Traffic is getting to be a very big problem. When we approve any kind of growth whether it is commercial, industrial or residential we need to consider more closely how traffic patterns effect the whole city. Our geography is unique as our city lies on either side of a small mountain range. The highway carries a good portion of our through traffic, and it is designed for that purpose. Ranches Parkway and Pony Express were designed to be neighborhood collectors, not major collectors. Therefore, they are becoming over burdened and unsafe. Question 8: Biggest Good: What do you see as the best thing that Eagle Mountain has going for it, and how do you plan on protecting it for future generations? Eagle Mountain has the people going for it. It has the land going for it. And, it has lots of room to grow, but growth needs to be smart. We need to go back to providing sufficient open space. We need to start planning for parks decades in advance and then actually building them. We need to think neighborhood, and not just city. I have eight grandchildren living and growing in Eagle Mountain. Personally, I hate seeing them stuck on their devices and watching TV. I would like them to be able to run to the neighborhood park and play, without worrying about whether or not they are safe. I love taking long walks with them on the trails or hiking in the foothills above where I live. It is such a blessing for me and them. We walk and we talk. That is my legacy to them, and it should be the legacy the City provides to all its’ citizens. Question 9: Open Space: Many residents like the open feel of Eagle Mountain. Do you feel we have enough open space, to much open space, or to little open space? What policies will you try to implement to support that view? I love open space. It was something I felt very passionate about during the incorporation of the City. That is why open space was written to be protected within the development and building codes. Unfortunately, open space criteria has been changed and under-prioritized a bit since then. We all must remember that as citizens, we grant to the developer the rights to develop. We do that in the development code, in the approval process, and in the zoning. Once you have granted those rights to the developer, you cannot take them back. The City needs to do a better job of granting rights and privileges to developers. Make no mistake, I think developers can be amazing and without them we simply would not have a city of Eagle Mountain. But, like anyone else, they are in the business to make money. There needs to be good chemistry with our developers, while at the same time intelligent controls on what they do. Developers will always want higher densities and smaller lots. If our code allows it, we have to let them have it. We need create a code that limits what they can do. If we do, they can decide ahead of time whether or not it is a good idea for them financially to develop in Eagle Mountain. Question 10: Development: What are your goals for the City in regards to Development? Planned growth.Development is done by the developer not the city. Our job is to help them plan and develop withing the criteria of our code. It is also our job to ensure we have the infrastructure to allow for the growth. If our housing construction out paces our infrastructure, that’s a problem. So, the City either changes the code to slow and control growth, or it let’s developers run wild. I am in the first group. I believe letting builders and developers expand beyond the capacity of our infrastructure is wrong. The quiet enjoyment of the homes and property of current residents must ALWAYS be a priority when implementing any growth. Not even the City’s budget or economic development should supersede the interest of the community itself. Having said that, I have found that with cooperation, communication, negotiating, and planning the cause of the City can and will always be advanced along with the those of the resident and the developer. Question 11: Cory Wride Memorial Park: What are your views on Cory Wride Memorial Park, and the cities current plan for the park? Any park is good news for the City. Although, living in The Ranches, I would have liked to see some of the money spent a little closer to home. Since I created Nolen Park as the mayor back in the late 90’s, there hasn’t been another major park built in The Ranches or on the north end of the City. I would like to see that change. It is nice to have a big regional park. But, honestly, I worry about the location. Access is limited, and many in the city do not live close enough to convieniently use it. Question 12: Master Plan: The City is currently in the process of updating it’s master plan. What do you think the master plan should look like, and what do you think of the current changes being made. (MIke this questions has me a bit confused. Are you referring to changes in the City’s General Plan or to changes in the Walden’s groups Master Plan?) If it is the General Plan of the City then my response is this: The purpose of a General Plan is “big picture”. It is the bones or the structure around which the rest of the city will be built. It is the framework. It encapsulates the vision of the city. Think of the constitution. If it changed every two years when the new congress comes to power; it would be a mess and we would most likely have long since lost our rights and privileges under that document. So, the constituion is very hard to change because it is the framework around which our government is built. Unfortunately, General Plan’s do not have the same safeguards though I wish they did. Sometimes the best change is “no change”. However, if the process of amending the General Plan is on-going; my job will not be to criticize the work but rather implement it. So, since I don’t get to make these decisions; I think I will withhold specific comments. If your question is specific to Eagle Mountain properties Master Plan changes and “re-approval”; I really don’t have enough specific information about the proposed changes to comment. Question 13: Programs: What is the best program, that you know of in Eagle Mountain? I have a bias toward Pony Express Days. Mostly because I got it started, and even named it. It has a special place in my heart. I am also proud of the rodeo and efforts made there, as well as the library. I believe both are excellent. How does that program make Eagle Mountain better, and how do you plan on making the program stronger? These programs are good because they create community. People interacting with each other, learning and enjoying themselves. When it comes to making any program stronger, it takes a community and inviting them to participate. There seems to be some good people in place running these programs. As to making them stronger, in my opinion, the worst thing I or any mayor can do is hire competent people to run programs, and then constantly interfere with them. As mayor, my job would be to help these program managers run their programs; to hear their questions and help them find solutions. We all work together. Question 14: Literature: Name one work of literature that has had an impact on you, and why you think it is important for a guide during this election cycle? I am a prolific reader, but I am not sure that my genre is likely to be influential as a guide in this election. I like spy novels and murder mysteries and thrillers so, hopefully, none of that comes to play in this election cycle. I do confess that every morning I spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour reading scriptures. It helps me keep a balance in my life and a bit of peace. Question 15: Down Time: What do you do with your down time, what leisure activities do you like to participate in? Well, I am a bit of a movie buff. I like to listen to and watch the news. I like to take lots of long walks. Most of my extra time, however, is spent with my babies and my grandchildren. There is nothing like the joy of holding someone who loves you, or reading to them, or playing with them. So, that’s where I am when I can be. Question 16: Why Eagle Mountain: Why have you chosen Eagle Mountain as your place of residence? I think it chose me in some crazy cosmic way.